The narrative that people don’t change is irrelevant when we follow Jesus. Why? Because we become a new being once we decide to live with Him guiding us. We are transformed and being renewed day by day!
2 Corinthians 5:17
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”.
Change is inevitable, we have to allow the people in our lives to evolve and learn. God is the only one who doesn’t change in His perfection.
James 1:17
“…the Father of the heavenly lights,who does not change like shifting shadows”.
As Jesus followers, as we're being renewed day by day, we're increasing in faith and trust through our ups and downs. With experience, comes change.
Either God will change us or the world will sway us
Inevitably, we're going to change as humans, but we have a choice as to how. The world is pretty grim and dark right now, especially at this time. God offers us immovable positive change if we're living with Him every day, guiding us and opening our eyes. People will get uncomfortable if they only know the old version of you and can’t understand how you got to the new one, especially if you're walking with the Lord and He's made continual, beautiful transformation in your life that other people can't help but notice! The Lord transforms us daily if we create space for Him to.
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”.
There should be evidence of Jesus changing us, making us more like Him each day
If there are no positive changes in someones life who claim they live their life for Jesus over time, I would wonder if they’re doing anything to progress. To grow. To be a better human and to strive towards who they’re truly created to be in Jesus. Progression and change will cause stagnant people to feel uncomfortable. A long time ago someone in ministry told me they didn't have time to read their Bible. Perplexed, I asked them how they grow and stay close to God. How they know His character and allow His living word to transform them. There wasn't fresh evidence of Jesus or growth in my conversations with this person. It was obvious that they weren't being filled up on the Lord each day. His word is vital to change our attitude and heart! We need the reminders and power of His word every day for our fickle humanity. We forget, or get distracted by the enticing things the world offers.
Hebrews 4:12:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Some people haven’t stretched towards growth in any direction and sit stagnant. I don't want a life like that. I want to always have the excitement of learning how to continually be stripped of sinful nature so that God can fill me up. Staying open to His correction and teaching. It makes the hard times a little easier and there's an abundance of peace, joy and love. Who wouldn't want that!? I know when I'm too full of the things of this world, I'm stagnant. The joy, peace and love start to drop. The anxiety, depression and ways of the world creep in. There's no room for the changes God can make in me that keep my path straight. And then I sit with Him. Read His word, walk and talk with Him. I get right with Him and I feel renewed!
Are you changing + growing for the better? Are you allowing others to? Are you sitting stagnant? Sit at His feet and dig into His word. Give God space to make changes. In you, and in others.
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